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The number of people receiving pandemic unemployment payment (PUP) dropped by 5,400 last week.
Some 225,000 people who have lost their jobs or income due to the Covid-19 pandemic are currently receiving the payment, which ranges between € 203 and € 350.
On Monday, the Department of Social Protection disbursed 70.2 million euros. The number the PUP receives has dropped 62 percent from its peak on May 5, when there were 598,000 recipients.
So far, 3.3 billion euros have been awarded to people participating in the program. This is nearly double the amount paid in the job seeker allowance for all of 2019, the department said in a statement.
Food and lodging services, the education sector and wholesale and retail trade saw the majority of employees return to work last week.
“The two largest cohorts returning to work are in the 25-34 and 35-44 age groups, with 1,400 returning in each,” the department said.
“I want to thank employers and workers from all sectors for their solidarity and the efforts they continue to make to suppress the virus and help rebuild our economy,” said Minister of Social Protection Heather Humphreys.
“It continues to be an extremely difficult and challenging time for everyone. We can see from this week’s numbers that more people are indicating that they are returning to work. I want this trend to continue in the coming months.
“People can play their part by continuing to adhere to public health guidelines, including observing the need for social distancing, so that we can move forward on the road to recovery.”
In addition to the PUP, 69,500 employers are making use of Commissioners of Revenue Covid-19 temporary wage subsidy scheme (TWSS), which currently supports some 365,000 workers.
Another 244,600 people are receiving the standard allowance for job seekers
It was previously announced that the PUP will be reduced this month. As of September 17, the maximum payment will drop from € 350 to € 300.
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